RazNoggle

Even though I “blog” in my head about my daily life all the time as I’m blundering through my days, for some reason I’ve been having a hard time getting it to my actual blog. Don’t worry, you really haven’t missed much. Ha! My life is not that exciting which is evidenced by the fact that I mostly only have family and a couple friends who read my blog. And that’s okay by me too.

Anyway, I have recently become OBSESSED, for lack of a better word, with crochet again. I’ve gone through phases where I get into it and bless my family members with large crochet throws and such. Ha ha! Then I got tired of working on large afghans and went to baby blankets because they worked up quicker. Then I just got tired of those as well. I mean, how many blankets can you make??

My latest fad is hats! I’ve been stalking browsing other photographers stuff, especially the ones who do a lot of newborns, because that is something I super-duper really want to do. They use a lot of amazing props to make even more amazing photos! I noticed that a lot of the teeny little absolutely adorable hats that they use were made of yarn. Well the lightbulb went off and after spending an exorbitant number of hours lost in the cyber world of “free patterns” I found some crochet patterns for simply sweet little baby hats! And I tried my hands at it, and found that my hands CAN do it and what’s more, they like it!

I’ve found about a zillion patterns that I simply HAD to try, of course, and I’m going to have to whittle them down, because I don’t want to have to keep up with that much stuff. With some of the things I’ve made already I opened an etsy shop. I have yet to make my first sell, but that’s okay, it’s out there and it’s being visited. One day it’ll happen. In the mean time I found a photography prop swap group on Facebook and have been swapping some of my hats for other prop “loot.” So it’s been good!

All of that to say that I’ve been spending a lot of time on the FB group AND crocheting, which is probably why not many of my mental “blogs” have made it to cyber space.

This week I’m making changes though. I am going to limit my computer time because it is taking up TOO much time in more ways than one. I have a new system for myself for getting things done around the house that I don’t like to do/have been procrastinating on. I have a bunch of sticky notes that one of my piano students from WAY back when gave me with a cute little “A Note from Miss Zahn” across the top. Ha! Well, I haven’t been Miss Zahn in awhile so I’ve found a new use for them. Each day I write out on the note the things that MUST get done for that day, and slap it on the fridge where I’ll be sure to see it often. I’m not making the lists long because I don’t want to get discouraged. But some things like swapping out clothes just need to get done, but are easy to ‘forget’ about through the day.

I’m also using the notes to write down my menus. I’m starting as of today actually a trial diet. I’ve committed to 2 weeks, though it should be four. I’m going to re-eval at the 2 wk mark. It’s called the slow-carb diet. Along with that I’m doing this minimal workout plan. The guy’s basic premise is that the reason we don’t often see the kinds of results we want is because we are overworking and undernourishing our muscles. Seems really backwards, but he does have data to back him up. SO we’ll see. I’m still a bit of a doubting Thomas about the whole concept but I’m going to give it a go, cause I’ve kinda gotten stuck in my weight loss goals, and I can barely stand the thought of that INSANITY program right now.

Anyway, this weeks diet is no carbs till Saturday. On my “cheat day” which is Saturday, I can pig out on as much and as many carbs and or other no-nos (sugar, fruit) that I want. This supposedly tricks your metabolism into thinking that it’s not really starving for carbs and results in a more sustained long term weight loss. I’ve always shied away from the “carbless” diets because well, I like carbs! Love em’ actually! Having this one day a week where I can carb-out makes me feel like it’s something I really can do. So I’ll be eating lots of meat, beans and oodles of veggies this week. I’m going to measure myself tomorrow, because “The scale lies, inches don’t” so he says, and see what happens. I’m optimistic right now, so we’ll just fly on that.

I have some photo shoots this week, so I’m pumped about those. One on Tues afternoon and 2 on Saturday! Looking forward to seeing the girls and their traditional dresses! Fun!

So for now that’s waaaazup with me. Hope you’re all doing well and that Spring is finally hear! My allergies have kicked into high gear so I guess it probably has.

I had a post in my head that I was going to write for today, mostly all finished just ready to type, but now that I sit down to the computer and my finger tips tapity-tap the keys, I don’t think it’s “the one” for today. Strange, isn’t it? Oh well. I do have other things to write about though so I will. First though, I need to investigate the hysteric screaming coming from one of my never-overreactive children outside.

I’m back. Oh me, oh my. Hysterical screaming and insatiable whining have become part of our every-day lives lately. It’s driving me batty, but I know that it is in large part my own fault. It’s one of the THINGS I am working on right now. Stuart developed the concept of the whiney chair and sad to say I have been very negligent about being consistent with it. It’s not my favorite method of dealing with the whining/screaming because they are right there in the open and I can still hear it which can cause me to want to bash my brains out on the counter or something. But I’m trying to be the one with more self-control in the house so I’ve been making a concerted effort to use the whiney chair consistently. And honestly, it does work. They really hate to go to the whiney chair and the whining will get less and less. Right now I’m still dealing with the hysterical screaming as they go to the chair because they don’t want to, but I’m confident that will a few days of more consistent and hopefully patient mommy, we will all reap the rewards.

Winter gets to me, ya know? As a youth (ha ha ha) I never could understand why people would talk about getting so down and depressed and such in the winter. Maybe right now it’s the fact that I don’t do well being cooped up with the kids inside all the time. I’ll freely admit it, this stage is NOT my gift. I used to feel guilty about it, think that somehow I’m not being a good mom because I’m not all ga-ga about diaper changing, potty training, wearing burble on every outfit, and cleaning up crusty food off of just about everything. But I’m okay with it now. I’ve come to terms with the fact that while yes, I love my kids more than life itself, this stage is just not where I myself shine. So maybe the winter blah’s are only a passing thing and someday I’ll be back to my old young self and like winter just as much as ever. Hmmmmm?? I don’t like to be cold though… that has developed into a pretty stark reality. But another THING that I’m working on right now is to stay sane and even cheerful through these last few weeks of winter. I’m hoping that we’ve seen our last snow, though the realistic (read pessimist) side of me says probably not. And the last few days of sunshine have been nice enough for the lads to exert much of their energy outside! Yay!!!

Something else that I’ve been noticing lately is that I’m a closet perfectionist. Ha! You’d never think it to come into my house and see it, but yes, it’s there under the skin. I like to do things certain ways, have things done ‘right’ and so forth. Yesterday, I began to realize that it’s really causing me to miss somethings with the boys like help. Yesterday without prompting and very enthusastically, Qade swept, with the big broom, the dining room. First he moved out all of the chairs like he’s seen his Daddy do, then he really did try to sweep up, and I helped him by holding the dustpan. Now, as I watched him I had to bite my tongue to keep from tell him how to do it or the whole “you missed a spot” thing, and instead just praise him to the skies for the great job that he did do. And honestly, though there were a few things still on the floor, he really did do a great job! THINGS that I have to work on are to let them do it, and not be so overly concerned if it’s done just so. On that note, I’m going to start having them place their own dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink. I mean why make one more step for ME to do? I also rearanged some cabinets so that their own plastic dishes and spoons and forks are on their level. They can help me unload dishes, a task I loathe! They will also be able to help me set the table by getting their own things.

I’m trying to encourage independence in both of the lads. I realize that I do far to much for them. Thinking back on one of my favorite teachers at PCC, Mr. McBride. He used to tell us, “Don’t do anything your students can do for you.” And of course he was referring to teaching, but it works with parenting too. Myles tends to be naturally more “I do it by myself” so with him I mostly just have to channel it and teach him how. Qade on the other hand would let me do EVERYTHING and be content. So lately I’ve been letting him get his own drink of water by taking the cup into the bathroom to fill it. (at the sink, mind you!) And encouraging him to get completely dressed by himself, which he is finally starting to enjoy, and putting on his own shoes, which he does NOT enjoy, but certainly can do.

We’re all making progress. THINGS crop up all the time that we have to adjust and change and work through. I’m really looking forward to warmer days, though I do dread the spring BLOWING season where the wind does it’s best to take the roof off. Still sunshine is welcome and I can’t wait to get out and take walks!

Not bad for a post I hadn’t planned huh? Hopefully I’ll be better about blogging again. I know it’s a great outlet for me. Ta ta!